We visited a workshop where they weave minsa, a traditional Okinawan textile, in Ishigaki City. In their garden were two shisa (guardian lion-dogs) sitting across each other. When in pairs like this, usually on gateposts, the one on the left has a closed mouth, while the one on the right has an open mouth. The open mouth traditionally wards off evil spirits, and the closed mouth keeps good spirits in. I was told when I lived there that they’re male and female (I’ll let you guess which is which ;-)).

To get the full effect, it's best to look at the two shisa pictures side-by-side in the gallery.

Left shisa, Ishigaki Island, posted earlier: